Chapter 235: The Father Emperor

The twelfth year of Hongwu, the twenty‑second day of the third month.

Borneo, Zhenhai City.

The sea breeze of early morning drifted through the window, carrying a faint salty scent.

Zhu Yong stood in the study behind the magistrate's compound, a letter clenched in his hand, having read it three times.

The letter was in Zhu Yuanzhang's own hand, the script hasty and messy, clearly written in a rush.

"Yong Er, the affairs in the South Sea are almost settled; you should return. Your mother misses you, babbles about you every day, and Guanyin Nu is taking care of two children—it isn't easy.

The South Sea has been captured; now manage it well. Xu Da leads fifty thousand troops there, enough to garrison. You will return with the Longxiang Army; there are family matters awaiting you. Your elder brother has been swamped lately—tax reforms in Jiangnan, the northern military garrisons, and the territories you seized are all on his shoulders.

We're getting old, some things we can't see clearly; you should come back to help your elder brother. Aside from that, those odd ideas of yours sometimes actually work.

"Alright, that's enough. Hurry back; don't be reckless out there. Your mother says she'll make you a stew of old hen when you return.

At the end of the letter, a line of small script, apparently added by Empress Ma: "Yong Er, have you gotten thin? Eat more, don't starve. Mother."

Zhu Yong finished reading, folded the letter neatly, and slipped it carefully into his bosom.

Zhu Yong stood by the window, gazing at the distant sea surface.

Sunlight scattered across the sea, making the waves glitter.

Several Great Ming warships were patrolling, their sails bearing a red sun‑and‑moon emblem.

Further away, a few newly built artillery batteries stood on the headland, their black mouths pointing toward the ocean.

Conquering the South Sea took a little over half a year.

We set out in September last year; now it is March—exactly seven months.

Manzhe Boyi, Java, Champa, Siam, Zhenla, Pagan… each was taken in turn; some surrendered, some resisted, and all eventually became Great Ming territory.

How many people died?

Zhu Yong didn't count.

The lives of over four thousand Great Ming merchants must be repaid with the blood of these native kings.

That is Great Ming's rule.

Whoever harms Great Ming's people must die.

"Prince."

From outside the door came Wang Baobao's voice.

Zhu Yong turned around: "Elder Brother, come in!"

Wang Baobao pushed the door open and entered, clad in Ming army armor, a curved saber hanging at his waist.

He had now fully adapted to the Great Ming military life; his skin was tanned dark, his gaze sharp.

"Prince, General Xu has sent people, saying the main army has fully arrived and is being deployed in each city," Wang Baobao said.

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Let Xu Shu arrange it; he handles things, I'm at ease."

Wang Baobao stepped closer, glanced at Zhu Yong's expression, and said, "Prince, has His Majesty sent a letter?"

"Hmm, let me go back," Zhu Yong said.

Wang Baobao was startled and said, "Going back, this side of the South Sea…"

"Here we have Xu Shu leading fifty thousand troops; that's sufficient," Zhu Yong said as he walked to the map, pointing at several locations.

"Manzhe Boyi will have one prefecture, Java two prefectures, Champa one prefecture, Siam three prefectures, Zhenla one prefecture, Pagan one prefecture. Each prefecture will appoint a Prefect, an Assistant Prefect, and a Clerk, and will be garrisoned with five hundred troops.

Each city will build artillery batteries, construct barracks, open military garrisons, and establish schools; within three years, this place should become well‑settled Great Ming land."

Wang Baobao listened attentively, nodding from time to time.

Zhu Yong continued, "Elder Brother, you stay here to assist Xu Shu. You are a Mongol, so dealing with the local natives gives you an advantage over Han people; those native chieftains, when they see you, will be more inclined to submit."

"Prince, rest assured; I understand," Wang Baobao said, clasping his fists.

Zhu Yong looked at him and suddenly smiled, "Elder Brother, you've endured hardship all these years, from Northern Yuan to Great Ming, from enemy to brother, you have helped me a lot."

Wang Baobao was silent for a moment, then said, "Prince, the most correct thing I have done in this life was surrendering to you back in Lanzhou."

Zhu Yong patted his shoulder and said, "We are one family; no need for separate talk. When the South Sea side stabilizes, you should also go back to see Guanyin Nu.

She keeps nagging about you, saying why the elder brother hasn't returned yet."

Wang Baobao's eyes reddened slightly, and he nodded.

……

Shi Jing, Zhu Yong led Zhang Wu and Chen Heng, riding horses out of Zhenhai City toward the western port.

Along the road they passed several villages, all newly settled immigrant sites.

Immigrants from Jiangxi were busy in the fields, the corn they planted already grew to half a person's height, a sea of green.

A few children chased each other on the ridge, and when they saw Zhu Yong's entourage, they stopped, looking on curiously.

"Is that Prince Wu?"

"No, they say those native kings were all taken by him."

"He's really tall, like an iron tower."

"..."

Zhu Yong heard it, turned back and gave the children a goofy grin.

The children were stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.

"Prince smiles!"

"When he smiles, look—watch!"

Zhang Wu was stifling a laugh beside him.

The fierce, demonic visage Prince had in battle versus his current goofy grin were like two different people.

Zhu Yong didn't mind, and kept riding forward.

At noon, we arrived at the port.

The harbor already had a dozen or so large ships docked, three of which were steamships, with faint white smoke drifting from their smokestacks.

People bustled on the pier as laborers loaded cargo onto the vessels—spices, ivory, rhino horn, pearls, and local specialties.

Beside the largest steamship stood a few men, led by a civil official in a teal official robe, about forty years old, sporting a long beard.

Seeing Zhu Yong, the man hurried forward, knelt, and saluted: "I am Liu Wenyuan, Right Counselor of the Zhejiang Provincial Administrator Office. May I have an audience with Prince Wu."

Zhu Yong helped him to his feet and said, "Lord Liu, rise quickly. You've had a hard journey."

Liu Wenyuan rose, respectfully saying, "Prince, I, by imperial command, have led the third batch of officials to the South Sea for appointment, totaling seventy‑three officials, two hundred sixteen clerks, and over eight hundred accompanying family members.

Additionally, there are three thousand households of immigrants, about twelve thousand people, traveling on twenty ships, to arrive thereafter."

Zhu Yong nodded and said, "Very well, Lord Liu, you've worked hard. General Xu is in Zhenhai City; go meet him, and he will arrange your garrison."

Liu Wenyuan clasped his fists and said, "As you command, Prince. Before departure, the Crown Prince asked me to give you a letter."

He retrieved a letter from his bosom and presented it with both hands.

Zhu Yong took it, opened it, and read.

The letter was brief, penned by Zhu Biao himself.

"Second brother, the battle report from the South Sea has reached big brother; the fighting was excellent, displaying Great Ming's might. Imperial Father was so pleased he circled the Qianqing Palace three times, and Imperial Mother wept for half a night, saying she pities you and is proud of you."

Now that the South Sea has been taken, we must manage it well; officials, immigrants, and garrison troops will be sent over in batches by big brother. Rest assured, big brother has the family's back.

You should have received the Imperial Father's letter, urging you to return—return! There are matters at home awaiting you, and also Guanyin Nu and the children are all fine.

Huan Huan has grown taller by another segment; most importantly, that boy Qiong Jiong is getting stronger—last time he broke Xiong Ying's wooden sword, and Xiong Ying was so angry he cried. When you return, look after him and keep him from being too unruly.

Take care of yourself and return soon.

—Signed by big brother.